Rivals in the Storm - by Damian Collins

Book Synopsis

'A fascinating, provocative, timely reflection' -- Rory Stewart

'Superb' -- Daily Express

A vivid biography in cinematic snapshots of David Lloyd George, one of the world's greatest statesmen.

Brought up in rural North Wales, David Lloyd George attended neither a grand school nor ancient university. He was very much an outsider. And yet he rose through the ranks with charisma, fierce intelligence and fighting spirit to become, as Churchill put it in his tribute, a man who 'stood, when at his zenith, without a rival'.

But his rise was not without its hardships, and in Rivals in the Storm, experienced MP and author Damian Collins focuses on the impact of Lloyd George's personality on other leading politicians, in driving progressive reforms through government, changing the course of the First World War to lead the Allies to victory, and cementing Britain's alliance with America.

Covering Lloyd George's emergence as the dominating political personality in Great Britain to the aftermath of his resignation, this fascinating biography takes you inside the rooms where the important decisions happened, and shows the bitter struggles as well as the triumphs of this great man of his or any other age, who nonetheless fell short of his own high expectations.

Review Quotes

"A fascinating, provocative, timely reflection from the inside of politics on how Lloyd George's rhetoric, intuition, blarney, and wit often grasped what the professionals missed. And why amateurs can - sometimes at least - save the day." --Rory Stewart

"Superb." --Daily Express

"In this deeply researched and intensely readable book, Damian Collins shows the inner man, and how he navigated the great crises of his country, and ultimately of civilization." --Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny

"A fascinating book with a gripping narrative... I enjoyed this book enormously and learned a lot." --Tom Bower, author of Boris Johnson: The Gambler

"Brilliantly researched. Collins's book gives us a memorable overview of what was being discussed, urgently and sometimes furiously, in the club dining rooms and country house in which Lloyd George dined, his mind always focused on one thing: how to secure total victory." --Daily Mail

"Engagingly written and professionally researched." --Times Literary Supplement

"An astonishing argument for the power of politicians at a time when it often feels as though there is no power anywhere." --Rory Stewart, Guardian

"A beautifully written page turner." --Aspects of History

"This study of David Lloyd George's premiership reveals once again that no more fascinating character, not even Disraeli or Churchill, has presided over the destiny of the nation." --Literary Review

"All the material is here for a bold new analysis... a skilful, lively, gossipy upbeat approach to the story." --The Critic

"I've just finished reading an excellent book on Lloyd George and the First World War by Damian Collins, Rivals in the Storm- which I thoroughly recommend." --David Stevenson on Substack

"An eminently written biography of the last Liberal prime minister, Damian Collins has produced an insightful and balanced study of the 'Welsh Wizard'" --Lord German, Liberal Democrat peer, The House

About the Author

Damian Collins OBE was the MP for Folkestone and Hythe from 2010 to 2024. He is a former Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy and was Chair of the House of Commons select committee for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He wrote the chapter on Lloyd George for Iain Dale's book, The Prime Ministers, published by Hodder in 2020. In addition, he has written for several publications, including The Times, Daily Telegraph, New York Times, Irish Times, Guardian, Daily Mail and Wired.